Sunday morning brings the dawn in
It's just a restless feeling by my side
Early dawning, Sunday morning
It's just the wasted years so close behind
Watch out, the world's behind you
There's always someone around you who will call
It's nothing at all

Sunday morning and I'm falling
I've got a feeling I don't want to know
Early dawning, Sunday morning
It's all the streets you crossed not so long ago
Watch out, the world's behind you
There's always someone around you who will call
It's nothing at all

"Sunday Morning" is the opening track from Velvet Underground's stunning debut album, Velvet Underground + Nico. Beck took to playing the song live during 2002 and some of 2003.

Then, in April 2009, Beck started his Record Club. In deciding to to cover the VU + Nico album, "Sunday Morning" was the first Record Club song to be released. It was promptly pressed on to a limited single, which was included with a One Foot In The Grave Deluxe vinyl package. (The only Record Club track to get an actual product release.)

The recording was made with Nigel Godrich, Chris Holmes, Giovanni Ribisi, Icelandic singer Þórunn Magnúsdóttir, and some of Beck's touring band (Brian Lebarton, Joey Waronker and Bram Inscore). They play a fairly faithful interpretation of the song. All the keyboards add a nice touch, while Beck and Thorunn sound cool together. Beck also mentioned someone involved named Yo, I do not know who that is or what he played (strings maybe).

Beck covered this song for the first couple of times in February 2002. Once, he did it as a power trio with Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Jon Brion. The other time, he played it with his fuller band. I have not heard either of these first two performances.

AUGUST 2002: ALWAYS SOMEONE AROUND YOU PIANO DUET VERSION

Beck's next tour, in August 2002, Beck played "Sunday Morning" at eleven of his twenty shows. Beck tended to sing the song much slower than VU's original. It's much more haunting and drawn-out. It is really quite pretty, and was a popular cover choice. Usually Beck played it near the end of the show, which is an excellent place for it. Beck always played piano and sang on the song. At one show, Smokey added keyboards; at a couple of shows, Smokey didn't join in at all; and at the other 7, he added acoustic guitar and maybe backing vocals.

2002 and 2003: BRING THE DAWN IN BAND VERSION

The last version on August 30 in Los Angeles had Beck's old Odelay band join him for much of the show. So their version of "Sunday Morning" which closed the show had drums and bass and keyboards. They handle it with a delicate, light touch. Terrific version of the song.

Beck then played the song only twice with the Flaming Lips backing him on it.

The best band version of the song might be on March 31 2003. It is very similar to the August 30 one (and had much the same band members), but with a little more energy.

FALL 2002: RESTLESS FEELING ROBOT VERSION

A couple of "Sunday Morning"s showed up during the solo portion of his shows with the Flaming Lips. On October 17 and 18, Beck used his vocoder robot vocal effect to sing it acapella (perhaps there is synth in there too?). On both nights, Beck just did a short take of the song this way. It sounds really cool!

SPRING 2003: WORLD'S BEHIND YOU SOLO VERSION

Beck played "Sunday Morning" five times during his eleven solo Europe shows in April 2003. I'll assume Beck performed it on piano, as usual.